South County Farm Day returns to Salinas Valley Fairgrounds
SALINAS VALLEY — This year’s South County Farm Day brought about 650 third- and fourth-graders to the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City on Jan. 27.
The South Monterey County students, stemming from Gonzales to King City schools, attended the free educational enrichment program taught...
CHISPA receives $1.3M to repair housing for farmworkers in Soledad
SOLEDAD — Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren has announced that the Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association (CHISPA) will receive $1.32 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through a combination of a grant and a low-cost federal loan to rehabilitate affordable housing for...
Nutrition incentive program launches in Greenfield, King City
GREENFIELD — Aspire Health, in close collaboration with Blue Zones Project Monterey County, has announced the expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program to South Monterey County.
Launched in November 2023 at the La Princesa Markets on Williams Road and East Alisal Street...
Arizona’s Salad Bowl becomes fertile ground for Covid-19
YUMA, Ariz. — The Rev. Emilio Chapa was delivering a homily on a recent Sunday when he paused to lament a sight that had shaken him as he entered the sacristy before Mass.
The board where his staff posted requests for funeral services was covered...
Gonzales annexation makes room for future agriculture industrial development
GONZALES — Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County (LAFCO) has approved the annexation of about 49 acres east of Highway 101 and north of Gloria Road to the City of Gonzales for future agriculture industrial development.
The annexation, which received approval Sept. 25, allows...
Assemblymember Rivas kicks off statewide agricultural tour in Salinas Valley
SALINAS VALLEY — Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) kicked off his statewide agricultural tour last month alongside local leaders and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
This first leg of the tour, beginning in Rivas’ Assembly District 30 on the Central Coast, included a celebration of...
Gonzales creates first special financing district for industrial development in Monterey County
GONZALES — City of Gonzales has become the first city in Monterey County — and one of the first in the state of California — to create an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to help fund economic development projects.
In collaboration with the county, Gonzales...
Smith Family Wines discontinues wine production
After 30 years of making its own wine, Smith Family Wines will discontinue producing the Paraiso, Irie and Alexander-Smith labels and close the tasting room at the Paraiso Vineyards on Paraiso Springs Road in Soledad.
Guest Column | Food Security is Critical to Economic and National Security on California’s Central Coast
The agricultural stretch of California’s Central Coast along the Salinas Valley is often called the “Salad Bowl of the World,” and for good reason. It supplies over 60% of the nation’s lettuce and substantial portions of strawberries, spinach and broccoli. But beyond the fertile...
Local News
Guest Column | Monterey County Free Libraries’ 5 Things to Celebrate...
Happy February! In February, we have Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and so many things to celebrate.
1. February is one of our favorite months because...
